1. Re: Player experience. Yes, Gen Con has a place on the event submission form describing how experienced players should be. But GMs should be prepared to handle novices even if the event description asked for experienced players. Some people don’t look st the experience tags, while others have subjective interpretations of what constitutes “some” experience.

3. I was surprised that there was no mention of playtesting your event in the section on prepping in the months before the convention. It helps a GM avoid potential difficulties: Are there any obvious plot holes? Are the PCs and their opposition properly balanced? Can they finish the event in the alloted time?

if you’re part of a gaming group at home, you’re not taking advantage of a great resource if you don’t ask them to playtest your game. If you’re not part of a gaming group, go to your local gaming store and ask if you can run the event there? Feedback and constructive criticism can salvage make a mediocre event good and a good event great.

 watchdog wrote:1. Re: Player experience. Yes, Gen Con has a place on the event submission form describing how experienced players should be. But GMs should be prepared to handle novices even if the event description asked for experienced players. Some people don’t look st the experience tags, while others have subjective interpretations of what constitutes “some” experience.

Heck, some conventions our group (sparks force 7) runs events we call seminars and interactives, where to 'play' them you HAVE to have a pre-established character in our campaign. No showing up and making a pc for it. Or events that are an A-B-C continuation like system, where to play B you need to have done A, and to play C you need to have done B. We've had those things clearly marked in the 'event description' lines. BUT still have had people show up, without even having READ it..

Oh man, and if your event was full you KNOW someone who probably was prepped and set couldn't get a seat at that table. Does make watchdog's point even more applicable though... people are going to show up having not read anything about the event, have some kind of answer ready.